Andrew Schapiro
Website: http://www.andrewschapiro.com
Instagram: @andrewschapiro
Twitter: @andrewschapiro
Andrew believes that great storytelling, design, and experiences can create deep, meaningful relationships between people and the world around them. He has sought out purpose-driven work throughout his career and has built brands, teams, and products across industries. Andrew is the Executive Creative Director at Calm, the world’s leading meditation and mindfulness app, where he is responsible for the expression of the brand across all touch points. Prior to Calm, Andrew spent seven years at Airbnb. He started and grew Airbnb's brand creative team; led an award-winning rebranding; and helped launch and steward the company's mission and core values. During his time with Airbnb, Andrew helped get significant initiatives off the ground, from the company's Experiences vertical to an unlikely format in the tech industry: a print magazine. Education is an important cause to Andrew. He volunteered to rebrand Malala Fund with Malala Yousafzai and her team, he serves on the Board of Directors of Vida Verde in Northern California, and he is on the Board of Trustees at Calvert School in Baltimore, Maryland.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?: Exploring a new place and a new culture.
Which living person do you most admire?: Bryan Stevenson
What is your greatest extravagance?: Travel. It's less about luxury than it is about time and immersion.
What is your current state of mind?: Focused on learning
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?: Industry. A lot can be learned from not doing.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?: Yes
Which talent would you most like to have?: The ability to sing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: I'd want to experience greater empathy for others.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?: Spending ten days sitting in silent meditation at a Vipassana retreat.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?: My dog, Alta. She lives a good life.
Where would you most like to live?: San Francisco, which I've chosen as my home.
What is your most treasured possession?: A painting by Columbian artist Abel Rodríguez, which my fiancée gave me, instead of a ring, on our engagement.
What is your favorite occupation?: I admire hoteliers for the experiences they're dedicated to creating for their guests.
What is your most marked characteristic?: An even temperament
What do you most value in your friends?: Curiosity
Who are your favorite writers?: Richard Russo, David Sedaris, Annie Dillard, Isabel Allende, Thomas Friedman
Who is your hero of fiction?: Santiago from The Alchemist
Which historical figure do you most identify with?: Ray Eames
Who are your heroes in real life?: My parents for their generosity. My partner, Bosco, for his optimism and creativity.
What is it that you most dislike?: Ambiguity
What is your greatest regret?: Not seeing my differences as strengths in my younger years.
What is your motto?: Every moment matters